impure_tale

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103

Once again, I convey my thanks to Doctor Jones, who was so kind as to look after my Renate whilst I was feeling under the weather.

In light of the recent health crisis, rehearsals are postponed.

[Private to Henry West]

I trust that if you can be so angry with the kitchen staff, you must be healthy.

[Warden Filter]

When you lose ground with your Inmate -- and nobody lie; I know most of you have had this happen -- how do you usually recover?

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[The Marquis is immediately pleased at least by West's reaction to Renate, who had practically begun running excited little circles around him the minute he stepped in the door. She's clearly been alone too long.]

Oh? What's he done? [He's already pouring a couple glasses.]

[West huffs] He's acting like a jealous prat! He's been in a mood ever since I went on that walk with you.

Truly? [The Marquis stands to offer him his glass.] Why now, all of a sudden?

Thank you. [He accepts the glass and takes a sip, careful not to let the puppy knock it from his grasp] Because I stayed out too late, and because your... friend has gone.

Renate, silvous plait. [He sits in his chair again and snaps his fingers. The puppy laid her ears back and lay down on the carpet before the fire, continuing to watch the two of them with interest.] So Billy thinks that now that Paviche is gone it is only a matter of time before I molest you? What does he think was stopping me before he arrived?

[He shrugs] I don't know; he won't tell me.

[The Marquis takes a sip of his own wine now.] Then am I only exacerbating the problem by keeping you here?

[He gets a dark expression] I don't care. I can spend my time with whoever I like.

Dearheart, I am in absolute agreement with you. [However he cannot help but remember that Henry was a good deal more understanding when the Marquis, himself, had done the same thing Billy was doing now. He chose not to say this immediately, however. He took a heavier gulp -- perhaps because he was thirsty, or even because that look was a little intimidating.]

[He takes a bigger drink, too, then lets out:] I just wish he'd trust me! But it's always been like this; he always used to make comments about how I'd gotten around or what have you.

[The Marquis swallows the words that arise on impulse right along with his wine: Well you did. As much as he has no problem with that, his guest is upset enough as it is.]

I cannot say that I know the good Doctor very well, Henry, so I cannot guarantee an understanding of his motivations.

Sirrus and I are very different people and I have a tendency to piss him off more than I help.

I guess that's the short and long of it. Inmates are people too and they hold grudges, pass judgment and screw up just like we do.

What I do is try to relate. I've gone out on limbs and given examples on WHY I understand Sirrus did the shit he did and why and how I'd try to redeem myself for the stuff I did in relevance to it.

It's really helped. I dunno if it'd work for you though. Sirrus has made some pretty awesome strides.

He's just behaving like a child now.

[The Marquis sighs, deciding he will want to say it until he finally does.] Henri, I don't recall you being half this incensed when I did this to you.

Edited 2010-01-08 00:38 (UTC)

[He snorts] That's because you weren't paying attention. I was. Sometimes, I spent time with him just to spite you. This was... [He shrugs a little] before we really started to care for each other.

Edited 2010-01-08 00:55 (UTC)

[The Marquis frowned at that confession, not at all certain how to take it, or if it should even matter now.] So are you here now just to spite him?

[He shakes his head] No. [Then, he sighs and runs a hand along his hair] I don't think so. I just wanted to get away.

[The Marquis nodded, looking down at the remaining contents of his glass.] I don't believe it is either fair or wise for me to advise you in this matter, I think. [He laughed a little to himself.] You know, I don't think I've ever been the 'other' in this sort of situation before.

[He takes another drink] Funny, this isn't the first time I've been accused of infidelity. Do I seem the sort?

[Somehow, defying all universal laws, the Marquis looked a little guilty.]

I think that given your desire to keep your sexual preferences secret, it surprises some people how comfortable you become, after a while. For people who are not as confident, perhaps, it can be intimidating, and lead too fears. Assumptions.

I'm not going to be a neurotic mess every time I'm in the company of another man. [He pauses, then looks at the Marquis] Is that how you felt?

[The Marquis winced] I'm a jealous bedmate, sparrow. I'm an old man. I'm overweight. I'm stylistically archaic. If I don't hold onto what I have when there are finer choices to be made, what chance have I got? You saw me after you and Billy began your relationship. I went more than half a year without any sort of liason. For a man of my appetites, that's an eternity.

Why did you do that?

You think I did that willingly?

[He looks away] Surely there were others who wanted to.

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